Stephen Garcia: Live From the Elite 11 Camp

Jonathan Jolley

07/25/2006

The always talent-rich state of Florida is home to one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation this year in Stephen Garcia. The 6'3, 212 pound gunslinger is rated as a 4-star prospect and the 15th ranked quarterback in the nation by Scout.com.

Garcia is currently attending the prestigious Elite 11 Camp in Southern California, and he took the time to check in with GamecockAnthem.com while out there.

"Everything is going good, real good. We got in Saturday night around seven o'clock. We've got a meeting at three o'clock, and then our first practice is at four (Tuesday)."

Garcia claims offers from several of the top football programs in the nation, however he has maintained two leaders atop his list of schools for the past several months now. According to him, nothing has changed.

"South Carolina and Florida are still my top two teams. I'm probably the most comfortable with those two. That's definitely one of the reasons. They are just close to home, and I'm very comfortable with the coaching staff and players at both schools."

The Tampa (FL) native was asked about the possibility of playing for Steve Spurrier at South Carolina, and he responded with an enthusiastic reply.

"I think that'd be pretty cool to play for Coach Spurrier. Not too many college quarterbacks get to do that, and it would be an honor for me to do that."

Garcia, who threw for 2,800 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior, last visited South Carolina for the Gamecocks annual Garnet and Black spring game in April. However, he has scheduled a return trip to Columbia (SC) for the near future.

"I'm actually going to South Carolina on August 5 with my family. It's just another unofficial visit, and we're going to be up there for the weekend. I don't know when I'm going to take my official visits."

Garcia also took the time to visit the Florida Gator's second annual Friday Night Lights camp this past weekend, and he came away impressed.

"It was awesome. It was real cool. I knew a lot of people that were there, and the talent was unbelievable. It was real fun."

However, despite having two teams clearly atop his list, Garcia is in no hurry to make a final decision.

"I still don't have a timeframe to make my decision, but I'm definitely planning on taking my official visits."

Garcia, who was one of the stars at the Gainesville NIKE camp back in May, took the time to describe his strengths as a player, as well as one area he would like to improve on.

"I want to improve on my footwork a little bit more, but other than that, I think my best attributes as a player would probably be my competitiveness and my ability to make plays out of nothing."

The talented signal-caller has one simple goal in mind heading into his senior season.

"I want to win state, that's it."

Stay tuned to GamecockAnthem.com for all the latest news on Stephen Garcia and other exciting Gamecock prospects.